Overview:
The Dragonfly Café & Deli fit out in Preston, Victoria, was driven by a clear client directive: to create a welcoming café space fitted out with natural building materials. Owner Nada Todorovich required the large, open interior to be divided into two functional areas, a partition solution that could provide acoustic separation without compromising the natural, tactile character she had envisioned for the space. Durra Panel’s wall system was specified to achieve this, delivering both the partition wall and an operable door in one cohesive, sustainable installation.
Project Details:
The Challenge:
When opening the Dragonfly Café & Deli, Nada Todorovich faced the challenge of transforming a large, undivided commercial space into two clearly defined, functional zones, all while staying true to her commitment to natural building materials. Acoustic separation between the two areas was a non-negotiable performance requirement; both spaces needed to operate comfortably side by side without noise bleed disrupting either environment. At the same time, conventional partition products were off the table. The client’s dedication to natural materials meant that sustainability was not just a preference, it was a primary specification criterion that shaped every material decision throughout the fit out.
The Solution:
Durra Panel’s wall system was installed by Andrew Rebis Constructions to form both the partition wall and the operable door, a single, integrated solution that addressed the spatial and acoustic requirements of the brief. The panels were fixed back to a timber framework, working with the existing building structure to keep the installation straightforward and efficient. Because Durra Panel is a made-to-order product, the panels were manufactured to the precise dimensions required for the space, which significantly reduced on-site offcuts and waste. Once installed, the natural finish panels were painted on site to complement the café’s interior palette, giving the client full creative flexibility while retaining the honest, tactile quality the material is known for.
The Outcome:
The completed fit out delivered a café interior that balanced practical performance with warm, natural character. The Durra Panel partition wall successfully divided the space into two acoustically separate zones, allowing each area to operate independently without noise disturbance between them. The operable door gave the café the added flexibility to open or close off the two areas as needed, adapting the space to different service periods and functions. The painted natural finish panels integrated seamlessly into the interior aesthetic and has proven well suited to the rigours of a busy hospitality environment, requiring minimal maintenance since installation. The project stood as a clear example of how Durra Panel can meet the demands of a design-conscious commercial fit out, delivering a sustainable, high-performing partition solution without compromise.
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